Harsh Thakor Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 This is my choice in order of merit of the best ever world cup semi-finals 1.1999 South Africa -Australia-tied -213 each tied gamewith both teams scoring 213 runs.No match has ever had such a flux of fortunes or such an enthralling climax.Like a Hollywood epic.In a run chase the Proteas appeared coasting home before a sensational spell by Shane Warne and again seemed on track before a flurry of wickets.At the death Kluesner took them to the brink of victory only for a run-out to laeve the scores tied and enable Australia to qualify for the final.In the final over Lance Kluesner's bludgeon with the bat and Daniel Feming's spirited comeback with the ball gave a great game an epic climax.The last over in many ways reflected the whole game's picture. 2.England-Australia semi-final of 1975-Australai win by 4 wickets After being skittled out for a meagre 93 in overcast conditions with Gary Gilmour capturing a staggering 6-28 England had Australia reeling at 39-6.The ball was wobbling all over the place with Snow and Arnold superbly exploiting the overcast conditions.In the end Gary Gilmour took his team through with an unbeaten 28. 3.South Africa -New Zealand-New Zealand win by 4 wickets The best ever semi-final in a high scoring run chase which had the spectators on the edge of their seats.The ebb and flow continuously turned like heavy rain intervening on a hot sunny day.Chasing a mammoth 298 of 43 overs a sensational start by Brendon Mcculam put the kiwis on track,which was later consolidated by a classic fifth wicket partnership of 103 between Cory Anderson and Grant Elliot and finally a flourishing finish of Elliot and Daniel Vettori who took New Zealand home.The Proteas hit back at crucial junctures but fielding lapses cost them the game.The final over ended with a classic finishing touch of Grant Elliot who lifted Steyn for a six.Few times has a team ever deserved to lose more.The Kiwi nerves and temperament prevailed on the day. 4.Australia-Pakistan 1987-Australia won by 18 runs Australia upset the Pakistan applecart and destroyed the myth of Pakistan invincibility.They stuck to their guns after scoring handy 269 and inspite of a Pakistan recovery spiritedly defended their target .From 38-3 Pakistan recovered to 158-4 but then the run rate kept slipping up and wickets tumbled.Javed Miandad's wicket and earlier Imran Khan's dismissal were the chief turning points.Australia on the day deserved to win and few games reflected how spirit could triumph against all adversity.A much more talented or stronger Pakistan team was beaten. 5.England-New Zealand 1979-England won by 9 runs England prevailed by 9 runs after scoring 221-7 .With 68 required with 10 overs to go and 4 wickest left the Kiwis had an even chance but Mike Brearley's imaginative leadership and the all-round skills of the English bowlesr won the game by a margin of 9 runs.The Kiwis needed 26 of the last 3 and 15 of the last. 6.West Indies-Australia 1996 Needing a mere 43 of 9 overs,chasing a target of 206 to win West Indies collapsed to lose by 6 runs at the brink.Shane Warne's magic turn won the day which totally changed the complexion of the game and ressurected Australia from the grave.The last 4 overs were like seeing a Holywood thriller with Richie Richardson pegging back his team to come within the brink of victory after a big flurry of wickets.For 90% of the game West Indies were the winners.The climax was like a total change of plot in a movie. 7.Pakistan-New Zealand 1992-Pakistan won by 4 wickets After looking down and out at 144-4 chasing a target of 263 to win a classic innings by Inzamam Ul Haq gave a 180 degree turn to the game and pulled them out of the ambush..Inzamam launched one of the most calculated and staggering assaults suported by Javed Miandad.In a tight finish Miandad and Moin Khan steered Pakistan home. 8.West Indies-Pakistan 1979-West Indies won by 43 runs Chasing 293-6 which was a staggering target in those days Pakistan were coasting at 176-1 needing over 5 run sper over with Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan giving a dazzling display of strokeplay.After Zaheer ,Majid and Miandad were dismissed Pakistan collapsed to lose by 43 runs.With 21 overs to go Pakisatn looked like gaining an epic win but the West Indian attack proved too good for them. 9.South Africa -England 1992 semi-final-England won by 21 runs-Duckworth and Lewis method England won technically and played the better cricket but in acompletre game maynot have prevailed by more than 7 runs.Although still marginal favourites England could have ben thwarted had rain not intervened woth 13 bals left and 22 runs more for the Protaes to win.South Africa did not bolw well on the day and chasing 265 in 45 overs faltered at junctures.Neverthless spiritedly fought before the rain gods intervened.
nanda14792 Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 2015.... Don't know about the previous ones :idunno:
sage Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 Missing India Pak semi-final 2011. Most viewed event in SPORTING HISTORY
Ultimate_Game Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 Where's the India-Pak semi from 2011? As an Indian fan that tops the list for me. Sure some of the other semis were pretty good but nothing can ever beat the 2011 WC SF as far as I, and I suspect other Indian fans, are concerned :yay:
BeautifulGame Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 99 Sa vs Aus followed by WI vs Aus 96.Both have claim to be the greatest match ever
The Outsider Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 '99 for the sheer quality of cricket followed by '96 because I watched it live at the stadium.
The Outsider Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 The amount of whining about the '92 game is unbelievable. 1. 22 off 13 with McMillan and Richardson was not easy. 2. England themselves got robbed of 5 death overs because SA were so slow on their over rate.
BeautifulGame Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 The amount of whining about the '92 game is unbelievable. 1. 22 off 13 with McMillan and Richardson was not easy. 2. England themselves got robbed of 5 death overs because SA were so slow on their over rate. 22 of 13 may not be easy but definitely possible. But when they had time(the rain had completely eased up) to bowl the 2 overs to decide the match , lack of common sense applied and reducing 2 overs and 1 run was a joke It not just robbed the players but spectators were clearly robbed and disgusted as well
The Outsider Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 22 of 13 may not be easy but definitely possible. But when they had time(the rain had completely eased up) to bowl the 2 overs to decide the match , lack of common sense applied and reducing 2 overs and 1 run was a joke It not just robbed the players but spectators were clearly robbed and disgusted as well What about England being robbed of 5 overs at the death? Duckworth Lewis would have added 20-25 runs to England's score. Yet, all we hear about is South Africa being robbed. If anything it was poetic justice.
BeautifulGame Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 What about England being robbed of 5 overs at the death? Duckworth Lewis would have added 20-25 runs to England's score. Yet' date=' all we hear about is South Africa being robbed. If anything it was poetic justice.[/quote'] Not saying it was fair on England but what happened would be easily forgotten as they have time to come back in 2nd innings .Just like how SA was robbed of rain last week vs Kiwis but no one will complain much about it in the future. But when SA was robbed in the 2nd innings they had no chance to come back in the game.Thrown out due to a stupid rule even though there was enough time to complete the match.Spectators were robbed of a close game due to lack of common sense and even the English players looked sorry for such a farce.So its natural the outcry would leave a lasting impact
David Boon Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 AUS v SA in 99 gets my vote, it had everything.
Sonix768 Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Aus WI 1996 has two entries in the poll. Anyway my vote goes to the obvious choice. 1999
AmreekanDesi Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Where's the India-Pak semi from 2011? As an Indian fan that tops the list for me. Sure some of the other semis were pretty good but nothing can ever beat the 2011 WC SF as far as I' date=' and I suspect other Indian fans, are concerned :yay:[/quote'] tbf the thread is abt quality of cricket. in terms of quality it wasnt great. very fun and exciting but thats not what the thread s abt
adi B Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Lets be honest the mohali sf was high quality in the first innings,quality fast bowling by wahab and world class spin bowling by pak against a great batting line up.it was very difficult to score runs against that bowling attack and India managed260 ,only blemish was Pakistan's third class fielding
AmreekanDesi Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Lets be honest the mohali sf was high quality in the first innings' date='quality fast bowling by wahab and world class spin bowling by pak against a great batting line up.it was very difficult to score runs against that bowling attack and India managed260 ,only blemish was Pakistan's third class fielding[/quote'] terribe fielding and batting in first innings too. only sehwags early onslaught was amazing otherwise we lost wickets regularly and sachin got 4 chances wahabs bowling was meh. got some cheap wickets
adi B Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 terribe fielding and batting in first innings too. only sehwags early onslaught was amazing otherwise we lost wickets regularly and sachin got 4 chances wahabs bowling was meh. got some cheap wickets Can't be any wrong.it was very difficult to score runs against 3 quality spinners on that slow turner,wahab's spell was meh?? His deliveries to yuvi and Kohli were excellent.batting wasn't easy at all on that pitch. U can't say poor batting,it was some good bowling
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